Printing system, information processor, and storage medium

ABSTRACT

A printing system includes an identification part configured to identify a printing protocol to be used with respect to an image processor in creating a print queue for displaying a status of the image processor and a reflection part configured to reflect, in the print queue, a definition of a communication setting used for bidirectional communications between an information processor and the image processor, the definition corresponding to the identified printing protocol.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is based upon and claims the benefit of priorityof Japanese Patent Applications No. 2012-154460, filed on Jul. 10, 2012,and No. 2013-031067, filed on Feb. 20, 2013, the entire contents ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to printing techniques.

2. Description of the Related Art

Nowadays, as typified by the Zeroconf of the Macintosh (a series ofpersonal computers of the Apple Computer Corporation), a function isknown that obtains the option configuration information of a printerthrough bidirectional communications by simply connecting the printerand a personal computer (PC) using a communication cable, andautomatically sets up a condition where printing is ready. PS Query andAutoSetupTool are examples of functions (tools) that automaticallyobtain and set the option configuration information of a printer at thetime of creating a print queue (data that manages the condition of a joband the like on a printer basis).

Also known is a function that obtains supply information such as theamount of remaining toner based on SNMP (Simple Network ManagementProtocol) and displays the supply information using the display functionof an operating system (OS) or an application. As functions (tools) forobtaining the supply information of a printer, snmpInk, which is a MacOS standard program, and a vendor-created CommandFileFilter are known.

Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2004-252785 discloses an imageprinting system that makes it possible to reduce a load on a manager byautomating a configuration data obtaining tool in a client-serversystem.

Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2010-198367 discloses atechnique that makes it possible to cause the device information of acommunication device, which the communications device returns inresponse to a request to obtain the device information from an apparatusthat creates an on-demand driver that drives the communications device,to be updated from outside the communication device or automaticallyupdated inside the communication device.

Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2005-25755 discloses aconfiguration such as “a system for automatic configuration uponinstallation of a network printer associated with a printer descriptionfile, a driver, a spooler, and a port monitor, wherein the systemincludes a bidirectional application program interface associated withthe spooler for allowing the driver to generate a bidirectional requestand a bidirectional response, a syntax within the printer descriptionfile for representing and associating the bidirectional request and thebidirectional response with a print feature, extension files stored inthe driver for relating bidirectional values and printer values, and anotification infrastructure controlled by the port monitor for providinga bidirectional notification of configuration changes to the driver andselected applications, in order to bidirectionally obtain optionconfiguration information after the installation of a driver and reflectthe obtained option configuration information in the print feature ofthe driver as the automatic reflection of option configurationinformation through so-called Windows (registered trademark)bidirectional communications.

Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2006-127218 discloses atechnique for installing driver software, which obtains optionconfiguration information and resource information from a desiredprinter and writes the obtained information to the driver software atthe time of its installation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of the present invention, a printing systemincludes an identification part configured to identify a printingprotocol to be used with respect to an image processor in creating aprint queue for displaying a status of the image processor; and areflection part configured to reflect, in the print queue, a definitionof a communication setting used for bidirectional communications betweenan information processor and the image processor, the definitioncorresponding to the identified printing protocol.

According to an aspect of the present invention, an informationprocessor includes an identification part configured to identify aprinting protocol to be used with respect to an image processor increating a print queue for displaying a status of the image processor;and a reflection part configured to reflect, in the print queue, adefinition of a communication setting used for bidirectionalcommunications between the information processor and the imageprocessor, the definition corresponding to the identified printingprotocol.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium has a program stored thereon, whereinthe program instructs a processor of a computer to implement anidentification part configured to identify a printing protocol to beused with respect to an image processor in creating a print queue fordisplaying a status of the image processor; and a reflection partconfigured to reflect, in the print queue, a definition of acommunication setting used for bidirectional communications between thecomputer and the image processor, the definition corresponding to theidentified printing protocol.

The object and advantages of the invention will be realized and attainedby means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out inthe claims.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and notrestrictive of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention willbecome more apparent from the following detailed description when readin conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration according to anembodiment;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of aninformation processor;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating signal flows inside the functionalconfiguration;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a process according to an embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a process according to an embodiment;

FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating an example of a PostScript printerdescription file;

FIG. 6B is another diagram illustrating the example of a PostScriptprinter description file;

FIG. 6C is another diagram illustrating the example of a PostScriptprinter description file;

FIG. 6D is another diagram illustrating the example of a PostScriptprinter description file;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of correspondence betweenprinting protocols to be used and the contents of the updating ofrespective definitions;

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating another example of a PostScript printerdescription file;

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating another example of correspondencebetween printing protocols to be used and the contents of the updatingof respective definitions; and

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another example of a PostScriptprinter description file.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As described above, snmpInk, which is a Mac OS standard program, or avendor-created CommandFileFilter is used to obtain supply informationsuch as the amount of remaining toner.

Command communications tools such as CommandFileFilter, however, have aproblem in that inconvenience may arise depending on a printing protocol(communications protocol) determined by a printer.

For example, in CUPS (Common Unix Printing System) adopted by theMacintosh, only the side channel of a backend that manages thecommunications of CUPS with a printer may be used in usingCommandFileFilter in the case of obtaining supply information. In thiscase, the backend is made open, but is closed without a flow of printdata to the backend. No data are output to a print port because onlySNMP communications are performed.

Therefore, there is a problem in that this operation causes malfunctionin each of the backends of LPD (Line Printer Daemon Protocol) and IPP(Internet Printing Protocol), which are printing protocols. For example,in the case of IPP, there is the problem of spooler stoppage. In thecase of LPD, there is a problem in that a corrupt job remains in a printqueue and the next job is prevented from flowing unless the corrupt jobis deleted. This is because the input of zero-byte data to and theoutput of zero-byte data from a print port are determined as invalidoperations.

Therefore, there are demands for selecting a communication pathdepending on a printing protocol. For example, it is desired to usesnmpInk of the OS and not to use CommandFileFilter in LPD and IPP, whileit is desired to use CommandFileFilter in USB (Universal Serial Bus) andBonjour (Socket 9100).

Which communication path (tool) to use, however, is determined by thedefinition of a PostScript printer description file (PPD) at the time ofcreating a print queue. Therefore, it is necessary for a single machineto create a printer description file for each printing protocol and toselect a printer description file in consideration of a printingprotocol, which causes inconvenience.

According to an aspect of the present invention, an optimum printingsystem environment is automatically constructed with a printing protocolbeing transparent to a user at the time of creating a print queue.

A description is given below, with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, of one or more embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration according to anembodiment.

Referring to FIG. 1, a system includes an information processor 1 (forexample, a PC), an image processor 2A (for example, a printer) connectedto the information processor 1 via a network 3, and an image processor2B (for example, a printer) connected to the information processor 1 viaa USB cable 5 or the like.

The information processor 1 includes a storage device 11, a centralprocessing unit (CPU) 12, a primary storage 13 (a memory), a networkinput/output interface 14, and a USB interface (I/F) 15. The storagedevice 11 contains applications, an OS including a CUPS printing systemand snmpInk, and drivers (printer drivers). The drivers include PPD, aprint filter, CommandFileFilter, AutoSetupTool, LawInkTool, Utility, andPlugIn. Examples of the storage device 11 include storage media such asa hard disk drive (HDD), a flash ROM, and a USB memory. The storagedevice 11 contains (stores) control software (program). The controlsoftware is executed on the CPU 12 to implement functions of theinformation processor 1.

Each of the image processors 2A and 2B includes a storage device 21, aCPU 22, a primary storage 23, an operations panel 25, and an imageprocessing engine 26. Furthermore, the image processor 2A (a printer viaa network or a network printer) includes a network input/outputinterface 24, and the image processor 2B (a local printer) includes aUSB interface 34. The storage device 21 stores information. Examples ofthe storage device 21 include a hard disk drive (HDD), a flash ROM, anda USB memory. The storage device 21 contains processor control softwareincluding the copy function, facsimile (FAX) function, a scannerfunction, a printer function, a user authentication function, and abilling function of a multifunction printer or peripheral (MFP). Theprocessor control software is executed on the CPU 22 to implement thefunctions of the image processor 2A or 2B by controlling the imageprocessing engine 26, the storage device 21, and the primary storage 23,and to control communications via the network input/output interface 24or the USB interface 34 and control the operations panel 25.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of theinformation processor 1.

Referring to FIG. 2, the information processor 1 includes a printingsystem 101 (a CUPS printing system), an application 121, a utility 122,a vendor-created supply information obtaining tool 125 (LawInkTool), andan in-OS supply information obtaining tool 126 (snmpInk). The printingsystem 101 includes an automatic setup tool 102 (AutoSetupTool), anapplication interface 103 (CUPS AIP), a spooler 104 (spooler/scheduler),configuration files 105 (including a PostScript printer description file106 (PPD)), a print filter 107, a spool 108, a backend 109, a commandcommunication tool 110 (CommandFileFilter), and a compatibilityinterface 111. The utility 122 includes an in-OS utility 123 and avendor-created utility 124.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating signal flows inside the functionalconfiguration, illustrating components in signal paths.

Referring to FIG. 3, a print document (to be printed) such as a PDF fileoutput by the application 121 is converted into print data of PS(PostScript) or the like through the print filter 107 to be retained(stored) in the spool 108 (FIG. 2). The print data retained in the spool108 are output to a module matching a printing protocol to be used inthe backend 109, and are transmitted to the image processor 2A or 2B.

When the utility 122 (the in-OS utility 123 or the vendor-createdutility 124) obtains supply information from the image processor 2A or2B, the utility 122 performs bidirectional communications with the imageprocessor 2A or 2B via the side channel of the backend 109 by way of thecommand communication tool 110 (CommandFileFilter) when the print portis Socket 9100 or USB. The command communication tool 110 notifies adaemon 112 (CUPS Daemon) of the results of the communications. Theresults of the communications are reflected in the utility 122. Thedaemon 112 is provided by the printing system 101 (FIG. 2).

In the case of IPP or LPD, the utility 122 does not issue a request tothe command communication tool 110 but issues a request to thevendor-created supply information obtaining tool 125 (LawInkTool) or thein-OS supply information obtaining tool 126 (snmpInk), and thevendor-created supply information obtaining tool 125 (LawInkTool) or thein-OS supply information obtaining tool 126 (snmpInk) performs SNMPcommunications with the image processor 2A without going through thebackend 109, and notifies the daemon 112 of the results of thecommunications. The results of the communications are reflected in theutility 122.

In addition to a function for obtaining supply information, the commandcommunication tool 110 (CommandFileFilter) includes an SNMPcommunication function for obtaining option configuration informationand a function of causing a command for test printing or a command forexecution of maintenance of an image processor to flow to the backend109 in job format of PJL (Printer Job Language).

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a process according to theabove-described embodiment. FIG. 4 illustrates an operation at the timeof automatically creating a print queue after printer discovery. Theprinter discovery function may be any function such as Bonjour or SNMPcommunications as in Zeroconf of the Macintosh.

Referring to FIG. 4, in step S101, a process is started. Then, after thediscovery of a printer, a PPD that matches the printer is discoveredfrom the plug and play information or MIB (Management Information Base)information of the printer. At the time of automatically creating aprint queue with the discovered PPD, in step S102, it is determinedwhether AutoSetupTool is defined in the PPD.

If it is determined that AutoSetupTool is defined in the PPD (YES instep S102), in step S103, AutoSetupTool is executed. A description isgiven in detail below of the operation of AutoSetupTool.

If the execution of AutoSetupTool succeeds (NO in step S104), optimizedPPD data are output. Therefore, in step S105, a print queue is createdusing the optimized PPD data, and in step S106, the process endsnormally. A command acceptable by CommandFileFilter is specified andwhether to use snmpInk, which is an OS standard supply informationobtaining tool, is specified in the print queue.

If the execution of AutoSetupTool fails (YES in step S104) or ifAutoSetupTool is not defined in the PPD (NO in step S102), in step S107,a process for obtaining printer configuration information is executed.The method of obtaining printer configuration information may use anytool such as PS Query or SNMP.

If the obtaining of printer configuration information succeeds (YES instep S108), in step S109, a print queue is created with PPD datareflecting the printer configuration information, and in step S110, theprocess ends normally.

If the obtaining of printer configuration information fails (NO in stepS108), in step S111, a screen for entering printer configurationinformation is displayed and a print queue is created with PPD datareflecting the printer configuration information entered by a user.Then, in step S112, the process ends normally.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a process of executing AutoSetupTool(step S103 of FIG. 4).

In FIG. 5, in step S201, a process is started. Then, in step S202, it isdetermined whether the OS supports CommandFileFilter. This determinationis performed by calling a function provided by the OS.

If it is determined that the OS does not support CommandFileFilter (NOin step S202), in step S203, the process ends with error. When theprocess ends with error, an attempt is made to obtain printerconfiguration information with an OS-side function (steps S107 throughS112 of FIG. 4).

If it is determined that the OS supports CommandFileFilter (YES in stepS202), in step S204, a printing protocol to be used is checked(determined), and in step S205, it is determined whether initial valuesof communication settings corresponding to the printing protocol aredefined in the PPD.

If initial values are defined (YES in step S205), in step S206, settingvalues are updated to the initial values of communication settingscorresponding to the printing protocol, and the updated values arereflected in PPD data to be output.

Thereafter, or if initial values are not defined (NO in step S205), instep S207, option configuration information is obtained from theprinter, and is reflected in PPD data to be output. The method ofobtaining option configuration information may use any tool such as PSQuery or SNMP.

Next, in step S208, the PPD data in which the initial values ofcommunication settings and/or the option configuration information ofthe printer is reflected is output, and in step S209, the process endsnormally.

FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, and 6D are diagrams illustrating an example of theprinter description file (PPD) 106. FIGS. 6A through 6D illustrate asingle printer description file.

Referring to FIG. 6A, “*cupsCommands” of a description D1 defines acommand acceptable by CommandFileFilter. The initial value is empty (“”).

The six lines of a description D2 each starting with “*RICupsCommands”define commands acceptable by “*cupsCommands” corresponding torespective printing protocols.

Furthermore, “*cupsSNMPSupplies” of a description D3 defines whether touse an OS standard supply information obtaining tool (snmpInk). Theinitial value is “True” (use).

The six lines of a description D4 each starting with“*RICupsSNMPSupplies” define “*cupsSNMPSupplies” corresponding torespective printing protocols.

A description D5 of FIG. 6B, a description D6 of FIG. 6C, and adescription D7 of FIG. 6D are original objects of automatic setup by PSQuery (that is, option configuration information).

In accordance with a printing protocol to be used, AutoSetupToolreflects the contents of the definition of corresponding“*RICupsCommands” in the definition of “*cupsCommands” and reflects thecontents of the definition of corresponding “*RICupsSNMPSupplies” in thedefinition of “*cupsSNMPSupplies”. FIG. 7 illustrates correspondencebetween printing protocols to be used and the contents of updating(rewriting).

The OS uses CommandFileFilter if a command that is desired to beexecuted is defined in “*cupsCommands”. If a command that is desired tobe executed is not defined in “*cupsCommands”, the OS uses an OSstandard tool or function. Furthermore, the OS uses OS-standard snmpInkif “*cupsSNMPSupplies” is “True”.

According to this example definition, when the printing protocol is USB,only supply information is obtained via CommandFileFilter, andOS-standard snmpInk is not used. Because USB is not a network, snmpInkof the OS cannot be used. OS-standard PS Query is used to obtain optionconfiguration information.

When the printing protocol is LPD or IPP, OS-standard snmpInk is usedinstead of using CommandFileFilter. In LPD and IPP, bidirectionalcommunications using only the side channel of a backend causeinconvenience such as spool stoppage. Therefore, CommandFileFilter isnot used. OS-standard snmpInk is used to obtain supply information.OS-standard PS Query is used to obtain option configuration information.

When the printing protocol is Socket, DNSSD, or MDNS, supply informationis obtained and printer configuration is automatically reflected viaCommandFileFilter, and OS-standard snmpInk is not used.

The initial values of communication settings of each of these printingprotocols are only defined in the PPD 106, which is a text file. Thismakes it possible to facilitate customization in accordance with auser's convenience or an OS patch release.

Next, a description is given of the case of configuring other settingsrelated to image processing in association with communication settingscorresponding to a printing protocol. Examples of other setting relatedto image processing include (a) providing a definition of a command(Clean) for performing head cleaning on the machine (printer) side as ininkjet machines; (b) providing a definition of a command(PrintSelfTestPage) for printing an installation configuration summaryon the machine side or a test page; (c) providing a definition of acommand (ReportStatus) for reporting a status on the machine side; (d)providing a definition of a command (PrintAlignmentPage) for printing analignment sheet on the machine side; and (e) providing a definition of acommand (SetAlignment) for setting alignment values on the machine side.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating another example of the printerdescription file (PPD) 106. The process is the same as that illustratedin FIG. 4 and FIG. 5.

Referring to FIG. 8, “*cupsCommands” of a description D11 defines acommand acceptable by CommandFileFilter. The initial value is empty (“”).

The six lines of a description D12 each starting with “*RICupsCommands”define commands acceptable by “*cupsCommands” corresponding torespective printing protocols.

FIG. 9 illustrates correspondence between printing protocols to be usedand the contents of the updating (rewriting) of their respectivedefinitions according to the description D12 of FIG. 8.

According to this example definition, when the printing protocol is USB,in addition to communication settings by “ReportLevels”, other settingsrelated to image processing by “Clean”, “PrintSelfTestPage”,“ReportStatus”, “PrintAlignmentPage”, and “SetAlignment” are configured.

When the printing protocol is LPD or IPP, the communication settings areblank, but other settings related to image processing by “Clean” and“PrintSelfTestPage” are configured.

When the printing protocol is Socket, in addition to communicationsettings by “ReportLevels” and “AutoConfigure”, other settings relatedto image processing by “Clean”, “PrintSelfTestPage”, “ReportStatus”,“PrintAlignmentPage”, and “SetAlignment” are configured.

When the printing protocol is DNSSD or MDNS, only communication settingsby “ReportLevels” and “AutoConfigure” are configured, and no othersettings related to image processing are configured.

The above-described commands used for other settings related to imageprocessing may be simply updated in accordance with a printing protocol.In addition, bidirectional communications may be performed with an imageforming apparatus in the updating process by AutoSetupTool (step S206 ofFIG. 5), so as to determine whether corresponding functions areinstalled in the image forming apparatus, and only commandscorresponding to the installed functions may be determined as beingvalid and available for updating.

With respect to specific values used for the settings of alignmentvalues, the kinds and the number of installed alignment sheets, thekinds and the number of alignment values, and the ranges of alignmentvalues may be obtained from the image forming apparatus and be output topart of the printer description file (PPD) 106 by AutoSetupTool. Thisprocess may be executed in the updating process by AutoSetupTool (stepS206 of FIG. 5).

FIG. 10 illustrates examples of alignment values output to the printerdescription file (PPD) 106. Referring to FIG. 10, unique keys areassigned to respective items and the items are correlated withrespective values. By referring to these data, it is possible for the OSor the utility 122 to display the printing options of appropriatealignment sheets and to cause alignment values to be selected orentered.

As described above, embodiments of the present invention have advantagessuch as the following:

(a) In creating a print queue, a printing protocol to be used isautomatically identified, and a communication path for obtaining supplyinformation and option configuration information is automaticallyswitched to an optimum setting in accordance with the printing protocolto be used. As a result, it is possible to automatically construct anoptimum printing system environment while keeping a printing protocoltransparent to a user.

(b) By simply editing a PPD, which is a text file, it is possible torespond to a user's convenience or a change in the specification of anOS or a printing backend, so that it is possible to facilitatecustomization of a communication path in accordance with a printingprotocol.

(c) It is possible to configure other settings related to imageprocessing in association with communication settings corresponding to aprinting protocol. This makes it possible to further improveconvenience.

All examples and conditional language provided herein are intended forpedagogical purposes of aiding the reader in understanding the inventionand the concepts contributed by the inventor to further the art, and arenot to be construed as limitations to such specifically recited examplesand conditions, nor does the organization of such examples in thespecification relate to a showing of the superiority or inferiority ofthe invention. Although one or more embodiments of the present inventionhave been described in detail, it should be understood that the variouschanges, substitutions, and alterations could be made hereto withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A printing system, comprising: a storage partthat stores correspondence information that defines a setting of a firstcommunication tool and a second communication tool for obtaininginformation from an image processor with respect to each of a pluralityof protocols, wherein the settings of the first and second communicationtools with respect to the plurality of protocols include a commandacceptable by the first communication tool and information as to whetherto use the second communication tool; and a processor configured toexecute a program stored in the storage part so as to cause the printingsystem to identify a protocol to be used with respect to the imageprocessor among the plurality of protocols in creating a print queue fordisplaying a status of the image processor; determine the setting of thefirst and second communication tools corresponding to the identifiedprotocol based on the correspondence information; and reflect thedetermined setting of the first and second communication tools in theprint queue.
 2. The printing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein thecorrespondence information is stored in a text file describing initialvalues of the first and second communication tools, and wherein theprocessor is configured to execute the program so as to cause theprinting system to update the initial values of the first and secondcommunication tools to values of the determined setting of the first andsecond communication tools, and create the print queue with the textfile in which the initial values of the first and second communicationtools are updated.
 3. The printing system as claimed in claim 1, whereinthe correspondence information further defines a setting of animage-processing-related function with respect to each of the pluralityof protocols, and wherein the processor is configured to execute theprogram so as to cause the printing system to determine the setting ofthe image-processing-related function corresponding to the identifiedprotocol based on the correspondence information, determine whether theimage-processing related function of which the setting is determined isinstalled in the image processor, and reflect the determined setting ofthe image-processing related function in the print queue in response todetermining that the image-processing related function of which thesetting is determined is installed in the image processor.
 4. Theprinting system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the processor isconfigured to execute the program so as to cause the printing system toobtain an alignment value of the image-processing related functioninstalled in the image processor by performing bidirectionalcommunications with the image processor, and reflect the alignment valuein the print queue.
 5. The printing system as claimed in claim 1,wherein the processor is configured to execute the program so as tocause the printing system to determine whether an operating system of aninformation processor supports the first communication tool that isother than a standard communication tool of the operating system, andidentify the protocol to be used with respect to the image processor inresponse to determining that the operating system supports the firstcommunication tool.
 6. The printing system as claimed in claim 5,wherein the processor is configured to execute the program so as tocause the printing system to determine whether a tool for automaticallyobtaining and setting option configuration information of the imageprocessor at a time of creating the print queue is defined in a textfile storing the correspondence information, and determine whether theoperating system of the information processor supports the firstcommunication tool in response to determining that the tool forautomatically obtaining and setting the option configuration informationof the image processor is defined in the text file.
 7. The printingsystem as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first communication tool is acommand communication tool created by a third vendor and the secondcommunication tool is the standard communication tool of the operatingsystem.
 8. An information processor, comprising: a storage part thatstores correspondence information that defines a setting of a firstcommunication tool and a second communication tool for obtaininginformation from an image processor with respect to each of a pluralityof protocols, wherein the settings of the first and second communicationtools with respect to the plurality of protocols include a commandacceptable by the first communication tool and information as to whetherto use the second communication tool; and a processor configured toexecute a program stored in the storage part so as to cause theinformation processor to identify a protocol to be used with respect tothe image processor among the plurality of protocols in creating a printqueue for displaying a status of the image processor; determine thesetting of the first and second communication tools corresponding to theidentified protocol based on the correspondence information; and reflectthe determined setting of the first and second communication tools inthe print queue.
 9. The information processor as claimed in claim 8,wherein the correspondence information is stored in a text filedescribing initial values of the first and second communication tools,and wherein the processor is configured to execute the program to causethe information processor to update the initial values of the first andsecond communication tools to values of the determined setting of thefirst and second communication tools, and create the print queue withthe text file in which the initial values of the first and secondcommunication tools are updated.
 10. The information processor asclaimed in claim 8, wherein the processor is configured to execute theprogram so as to cause the information processor to determine whether anoperating system of the information processor supports the firstcommunication tool that is other than a standard communication tool ofthe operating system, and identify the protocol to be used with respectto the image processor in response to determining that the operatingsystem supports the first communication tool.
 11. The informationprocessor as claimed in claim 10, wherein the processor is configured toexecute the program so as to cause the information processor todetermine whether a tool for automatically obtaining and setting optionconfiguration information of the image processor at a time of creatingthe print queue is defined in a text file storing the correspondenceinformation, and determine whether the operating system of theinformation processor supports the first communication tool in responseto determining that the tool for automatically obtaining and setting theoption configuration information of the image processor is defined inthe text file.
 12. A non-transitory computer-readable storage mediumhaving a program stored thereon, wherein the program is executed by aprocessor of a computer to cause the computer to: identify a protocol tobe used with respect to an image processor among a plurality ofprotocols in creating a print queue for displaying a status of the imageprocessor; determine, based on correspondence information that defines asetting of a first communication tool and a second communication toolfor obtaining information from the image processor with respect to eachof the plurality of protocols, wherein the settings of the first andsecond communication tools with respect to the plurality of protocolsinclude a command acceptable by the first communication tool andinformation as to whether to use the second communication tool, thesetting of the first and second communication tools corresponding to theidentified protocol; and reflect the determined setting of the first andsecond communication tools in the print queue.
 13. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium as claimed in claim 12, wherein thecorrespondence information is stored in a text file describing initialvalues of the first and second communication tools, and wherein theprogram is executed by the processor of the computer to cause thecomputer to update the initial values of the first and secondcommunication tools to values of the determined setting of the first andsecond communication tools, and create the print queue with the textfile in which the initial values of the first and second communicationtools are updated.
 14. The non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium as claimed in claim 12, wherein the program is executed by theprocessor of the computer to cause the computer to determine whether anoperating system of the computer supports the first communication toolthat is other than a standard communication tool of the operatingsystem, and identify the protocol to be used with respect to the imageprocessor in response to determining that the operating system supportsthe first communication tool.
 15. The non-transitory computer-readablestorage medium as claimed in claim 14, wherein the program is executedby the processor of the computer to cause the computer to determinewhether a tool for automatically obtaining and setting optionconfiguration information of the image processor at a time of creatingthe print queue is defined in a text file storing the correspondenceinformation, and determine whether the operating system of the computersupports the first communication tool in response to determining thatthe tool for automatically obtaining and setting the optionconfiguration information of the image processor is defined in the textfile.